Control means for textile producing machines

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to means for controlling the operation of components associated with a knitting machine, in response to the rotation or absence of rotation of the knitting machine. The components particularly, though illustratively, described are storage feeders associated with knitting machines whose operation is controlled so that their storage drums are prevented from being rotated when the knitting machine is not in operation. Generator means or other electrical means responsive to the condition of the knitting machine energizes a solenoid which closes a normally open switch separating the storage feeder from its power supply. When the knitting machine is out of operation, the solenoid is de-energized and the normally open switch prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeder.

Tellerman [11] 3,710,595 [451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] CONTROL MEANS FOR TEXTILE PRODUCING MACHINES [75] Inventor: Edward M.

' Rockaway, N.Y.

Tellerman, East [73] Assignee: Stop-Motion Devices Corporation,

- Plainview, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 169,205

[52] U.S. Cl. ..66/157, 66/132, 66/163 [51] Int. Cl. ..D04b 35/10 [58] Field of Search ..66/157, 132, 163, 161; 242/36; Y 57/ 100, 81

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,379,037 4/1968 Antonevich ..66/163 3,530,689 9/1970 Yarbrough ..66/163 X 3,509,739 5/1970 Gottschall ..66/157 2,588,689 3/1952 Antonevich ..66/163 STORAGE STORAGE FEEDER FEEDER 2,666,313 1/1954 Sibley".. ..66/157 Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum Attorney-Henry R. Lerner [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure relates to means for controlling the operation of components associated with a knitting machine, in response to the rotation or absence of rotation of the knitting machine. The components particularly, though illustratively, described are storage feeders associated with knitting machines whose operation is controlled so that their storage drums are prevented from being rotated when the knitting machine is not in operation. Generator means or other electrical means responsive to the condition of the knitting machine energizes a solenoid which closes a normally open switch separating the storage feeder from its power supply. When the knitting machine is out of operation, the solenoid is de-energized and the normally open switch prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeder.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures KNITTING MACHINE DRIVE OTOR PATENTEDJMI 16 I975 STORAGE FEEDER STORAGE FEEDER ORAGE FEEDER FIG. 2.

KNITTING MACHINE DRIVE MOTOR POWER SUPPLY STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE FEEDER FEEDER FEEDER I l I KNITTING MACHINE DRIvE MOTOR CONTROL MEANS FOR TEXTILE PRODUCING MACHINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to means for controlling the operation of components associated with textile producing apparatus, particularly knitting machines. A knitting machine is provided with a plurality of components, some of which should desirably be operable only when the knitting machine is rotating, while other components should desirably be operated only when the knitting machine is stopped. Such components may include yarn fault detecting mechanisms, audible and visible signalling devices, and many others.

The present invention is particularly applicable, however, for controlling the operation of yarn storage and feeding devices used in association with textile producing apparatus, particularly knitting machines.

In a knitting machine, the supply of yarn is in the form of a plurality of yarn cones with the yarn being drawn from the cone by the needles. As yarn is drawn off the cone, it undergoes substantial variations in tension due to the manner in which the yarn package is formed on the cone and unwound therefrom. Furthermore, the yarn supplied from any one cone is likely to be under different tension from that supplied to the needles at the same time from any of the other cones, resulting in the production of goods which are nonuniform, inferior in quality, and often considered as being defective. Efforts have previously been made to resolve the problems pointed out above by providing an intermediate yarn storage device disposed between the yarn cone and the needles. Examples of such storage device are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,225,446 and 3,419,225, each of which discloses the use of a drum of substantially uniform diameter which is rotated so as to tangentially wind a predetermined quantity of yarn thereon, which yarn is subsequently withdrawn axially from the drum. In this way all of the yarn from the cone is rewound around the uniform diameter storage drum and, being withdrawn axially from the drum, the tension of the yarn is reduced to as near zero as possible, with the same condition simultaneously prevailing in all other yarns axially withdrawn, each from its own storage drum.

While said storage devices constitute substantial im provement, they are not entirely free of deficiencies. More specifically, while the yarn tension condition has been measurably improved by the tangential winding about the rotating drum and axial withdrawing therefrom, new problems having arisen which con tribute to the production of less than wholly uniform goods. This is due to the fact that the conditions under which the yarn is wound onto and unwound from the storage feeder during the knitting process are continuously varying. More specifically, under a first condition, the yarn is wound onto the rotating storage drum while the knitting machine is in operation, causing simultaneous withdrawal of the yarn. Under such first condition, there is no twist imparted to the yarn, which condition is the ideal one. On the other hand, however, under another condition, yarn may be wound onto the storage drum while the knitting machine is not in operation so that subsequent withdrawal of such yarn will have a twist imparted thereto, causing the production of goods which fall short of being entirely uniform.

It is therefore an object of this invention to prevent imparting twist to the yarn to be knit by providingcontrol means which prevent rotation of the storage drum on the storage feeder when the knitting machine is not in operation. In this way, yarn will be wound onto the rotating storage drum only while the knitting machine is in operation preventing twist from being imparted to the knit yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided control means responsive to the condition of the knitting machine for controlling the operation of com- 7 ponents associated with the knitting machine.

In accordance with a more specific aspect of the invention, there is provided control means responsive to the rotation of the knitting machine for controlling the operation of one or more of the storage feeders associated with the knitting machine. There is provided, therefore, in accordance with the invention, a device which generates a voltage in response to the rotation of the knitting machine. Such generating device could be a conventional DC generator geared in with the drive motor, or directly to the knitting machine, or to any other element whose movement corresponds to that of the knitting machine. The output of such generator energizes a solenoid which closes a normally open switch for permitting power to be supplied to one or more of the storage feeders associated with the-knitting machine. Thus, when the knitting -machine drive is discontinued, the generator responsive to the knitting machine drive will not generate a voltage sufficient to retain the control solenoid energized, thereby leading to the opening of the switch which prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeders. Thus, unless the knittingmachine is rotating, no power can be supplied to the storage feeder leading the storage feeders to operate under the desirable condition, namely, the condition wherein the storage drum can rotate only when the knitting machine is in operation.

In accordance with another specific embodiment of the invention, the generator responsive to the rotation of the knitting machine provides the triggering current for a transistor amplifier so that the latter becomes conductive in response to rotation of the knitting machine. When the transistor amplifier is conductive, it energizes the solenoid thereby maintaining in closed condition the switch which controls the power supply for the storage feeders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control means in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a plurality of yarn storage devices 10 of a type similar to those described in previously mentioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,225,446 and 3,419,225. These storage devices are provided with storage drums which are powered for rotation to enable tangential winding of yarn thereon which is subsequently axially withdrawn on their way to the knitting machine needles. A power supply 12 provides the requisite power for rotating the respective storage drums of storage devices and switch 14 is biased into normally open position shown by the dashed lines, and movable to a closed position shown by the full lines in response to the energization of solenoid 16. Reference number 18 represents a generator which could be a conventional DC generator geared in with the knitting machine drive motor, or directly to the knitting machine, or to any other element whose movement corresponds to that of the knitting machine. Accordingly, when the knitting machine is in operation, generator 18 will generate a voltage causing current flow through solenoid 16 which in turn causes closing of switch 14. Thus, when the knitting machine is in operation, the storage feeders are all connected to power supply 12 to operate in their normally intended manner wherein the respective storage drums can have yarn wound thereon while the knitting machine is in operation. In the event that the knitting machine ceases to operate for whatever reason, generator 18 will not generate sufficient power to energize solenoid 16 whereby switch 14 will assume its normally open condition preventing the storage feeders from being energized. Accordingly, no storage feeder will be able to have its storage drum rotated for winding yarn thereon while the knitting machine is out of operation, preventing the formation of twist in the yarn being knit. An adjustable resistor 20 defines a current limiting resistor to prevent energization of solenoid 16 in response to slight incidental rotation of the knitting machine, if desired.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the voltage generated by generator 18 in response to the rotation of the knitting machine will provide current flow through the triggering leg of transistor amplifier 22 rendering the latter conductive with direct current from DC supply 24 providing sufficient current flow for energizing solenoid 16. Energization of solenoid 16, as in FIG. 1, retains switch 14 in closed condition for connecting power supply 12 to the respective storage feeders 10. Upon interruption of the knitting machine, there will be insufficient power generated by generator 18 interrupting the conduction of transistor amplifier 22, in turn de-energizing solenoid l6 and opening switch 14. The opening of switch 14 prevents power from being furnished to the respective storage feeders whereby their respective storage drums cannot have yarn thereon while the knitting machine is interrupted.

Variable resistor 28 is for the purpose of selectively controlling the amount of rotation permissible before transistor amplifier 22 becomes conductive and solenoid 16 becomes energized. Normally, no permissible rotation is desirable.

Thus it is seen that there has been provided control means linked to the operation of the knitting machine, whereby the interruption of the knitting machine automatically renders the storage feeders inoperative in order to prevent yarn from being wound onto the rotating storage drums while the knitting machine is not in operation.

While generator 18 has been described as the instrumentality responsive to the rotation of the knitting machine, it will be understood that other devices, such as reed relays and motion detecting devices could as well be used. For example, instead of using a generator, there could be used a coil placed in the vicinity of the drive motor for the knitting machine so that any magnetic field on the motor, when it is driving the knitting machine, will affect the coil so that a signal can be generated for effectuating the requisite control of the storage feeders or any other components whose operation is intended to be controlled.

Further, it will be understood that while there has been described above a particular system for controlling the operation of storage feeders in response to the rotation of the knitting machine, there are other components associated with the knitting machine whose operation may be desirably related to the condition of the knitting machine. Further, some components may desirably be operable only when the knitting machine is rotating, while other components may desirably be operated only when the knitting machine is stopped. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to have the means responsive to the rotation of the knitting machine (or absence of rotation of the knitting machine) control the operation of such other components associated with the knitting machine such as stop motions, lights, etc.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that in the illustrated embodiments certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by letters patent is:

1. In a knitting machine provided with a yarn storage feeder having a rotatable storage drum for tangentially winding yarn thereon from a yarn supply, which yarn is axially unwound on its way to the knitting machine needles, the improvement comprising a. means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine and operative, when said knitting machine is rotating, to energize first circuit means,

b. second circuit means adapted, when energized, to

connect a power supply to said storage feeder, and

c. control means in said first circuit means being operative, when tie-energized, to interrupt said second circuit means whereby to disconnect said power supply from said storage feeder when said knitting machine is not rotating.

2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said control means in said first circuit means comprise a solenoid, and wherein said second circuit means includes normally open switch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid, whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including said solenoid, in response to the interruption of the knitting machine, automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally open position thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storage feeder.

3. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine comprise a DC generator coupled to the knitting machine drive.

4. The improvement in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine comprise a DC generator coupled to the knitting machine drive.

5. The improvement in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first circuit means includes a transistor amplifier triggered by current flow produced by said generator, and wherein said control means comprise a solenoid energized when said transistor amplifier is rendered conductive by said triggering thereof.

6. The improvement in accordance with claim 5, wherein said second circuit means includes normaliy open switch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid, whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including said solenoid, in response to the interruption of the knitting machine, automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally open position thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storage feeder.

7. Control means in a circular knitting machine comprising a. means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine and operative when said knitting machine is rotating to control the condition of a first circuit means,

. second circuit means related to said first circuit means so as to be responsive to the condition of said first circuit means whereby in turn to be responsive to the condition of the knitting machine, and

c. said second circuit means adapted to control the condition of electrical means associated with said knitting machine whereby the operation of said electrical means associated with said knitting machine is related to the condition of the knitting machine. 

1. In a knitting machine provided with a yarn storage feeder having a rotatable storage drum for tangentially winding yarn thereon from a yarn supply, which yarn is axially unwound on its way to the knitting machine needles, the improvement comprising a. means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine and operative, when said knitting machine is rotating, to energize first circuit means, b. second circuit means adapted, when energized, to connect a power supply to said storage feeder, and c. control means in said first circuit means being operative, when de-energized, to interrupt said second circuit means whereby to disconnect said power supply from said storage feeder when said knitting machine is not rotating.
 2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said control means in said first circuit means comprise a solenoid, and wherein said second circuit means includes normally open switch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid, whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including said solenoid, in response to the interruption of the knitting machine, automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally open position thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storage feeder.
 3. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine comprise a DC generator coupled to the knitting machine drive.
 4. The improvement in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine comprise a DC generator coupled to the knitting machine drive.
 5. The improvement in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first circuit means includes a transistor amplifier triggered by current flow produced by said generator, and wherein said control means comprise a solenoid energized when said transistor amplifier is rendered conductive by said triggering thereof.
 6. The improvement in accordance with claim 5, wherein said second circuit means includes normally open switch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid, whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including said solenoid, in response to the interruption of the knitting machine, automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally open position thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storage feeder.
 7. Control means in a circular knitting machine comprising a. means responsive to the rotation of said knitting machine and operative when said knitting machine is rotating to control the condition of a first circuit means, b. second circuit means related to said first circuit means so as to be responsive to the condition of said first circuit means whereby in turn to be responsive to the condition of the knitting machine, and c. said second circuit means adapted to control the condition of electrical means associated with said knitting machine wherEby the operation of said electrical means associated with said knitting machine is related to the condition of the knitting machine. 